Pike’s Peak Colorado Gold Rush
The Pike’s Peak Colorado gold rush happened in 1858 in western Kansas territory and southwestern Nebraska territory, and lasted until 1861 with the creation of the Colorado territory. More than 100,000 gold seekers came to this area in a rush for riches, and this quickly became one of the most well-known and prosperous gold rushes in American history. After 1859, which was the peak year of the rush, these miners were known as fifty-niners, and often came bearing the motto ‘Pike’s Peak or Bust!’
The Pike’s Peak Colorado gold rush happened about a decade after the California gold rush, and brought a temporary and huge influx of immigrants into Pike’s Peak area and the Southern Rocky Mountains. The gold rush brought the first European-Americans to the region, and created a few places that would become cities such as Denver City and Boulder City. Smaller camps ended up becoming parts of larger towns, and dozens of camps simply became ghost towns. Many gold prospectors were discouraged at the end of the California gold rush, which caused them to return home. However, a few stayed behind and followed rumors that gold was to be found in the Rocky Mountains.
This following ended up paying off in the end, for those who actually took the time to travel to this area and become a part of the search for gold in what would become the Pike’s Peak gold rush. In 1858, gold was discovered, and it was less than a year by the time news reached the eastern part of the country. At that time, thousands of miners were coming to the Denver area to search for the gold that so many had boasted finding. There were many large finds throughout the area in 1859, and shortly after the mining tapered off for a substantial amount of time.
After many years, people realized that they couldn’t access the gold that was deeper in the sulfide ore, and abandoned gold prospecting in the area. However, this problem was solved over time, creating a major gold and silver mining industry in Colorado after the gold rush had come and gone. The first decade generally served the South Platte River area and the Clear Creek and South Park areas, and in 1860, Denver City, Golden City, and Boulder City were thriving towns that worked the mines as a way of life.
Still today, the area is popular among vacationers for gold prospecting adventures, but the large mines are now owned by private industry, making the findings more rare and individual prospecting less popular. Panning for gold may be fun, but it’s hardly profitable. If you want to invest in gold, try purchasing some gold coins and holding them for an extended period of time.
Gold Sells For $1017 A Barrel
I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it but, the Yahoo Market Update at 2:00 pm today stated that gold was selling for (the update may have updated since posting this link) $1,017.60 per barrel as you can see from the screenshot below:
That’s about as cheap as gold will ever be and if I were you, I’d run out and buy several barrels full before the price goes up. I think a barrel is 55 gallons, so you are getting gold for about $18 a gallon. You can’t beat that. We’re all going to be rich.
If only it were true.
First Spouse Gold Coins
The first spouse gold coins program is quite successful as collectors and investors are increasing their demand for these popular coins. This program was started in 2007 to honor our country’s first ladies and will feature every First Lady through Pat Nixon who held that position from 1969 to 1974. The coins will be issued 4 or 5 per year through 2016.
Some presidents obviously were not married such as Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren and in those cases a coin will still be issued but it will feature a depiction of Lady Liberty on the Obverse and themes from the President’s life on the reverse. The coins are all one half ounce 24 karat gold or .9999 percent pure, thus making them true bullion coins. All have a face value of $10
The United States Mint wanted to get into the true bullion coin market due to demand from investors and in 2006 started out with the first true bullion coin issued in the United States which was the Buffalo Gold Coin. Since then the First Spouse gold coins have been added to the bullion coin lineup and will continue through at least 2016 with this program.
Listed below are the currently or soon to be available First Spouse coins:
2007 Releases
Martha Washington
Abigail Adams
Jefferson’s Liberty
Dolley Madison
2008 Releases
Elizabeth Monroe
Louisa Adams
Jackson’s Liberty
Van Buren’s Liberty
2009 Releases
Anna Harrison
Letitia Tyler
Julia Tyler (due out August 6, 2009)
Sarah Polk
Margaret Taylor
Check out our store for available First Spouse gold coins.